New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Communications has issued a directive mandating the compulsory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for sale in India. The order, issued under the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, aims to curb the growing threat of duplicate and tampered IMEI numbers that pose significant risks to telecom cyber security.

According to the directive released by the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) AI & Digital Intelligence Unit, all mobile phone manufacturers and importers must ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is installed and clearly visible to users during the initial device setup.

Companies have been given a three-month deadline to comply — a move that industry executives say is likely to face resistance from major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. Media queries sent to both the DoT and handset makers remained unanswered.

The Sanchar Saathi platform, developed by the DoT, enables consumers and authorities to verify the authenticity of a mobile handset’s IMEI number and report suspicious or fraudulent activity. The directive notes that pre-installing the app will strengthen the framework for identifying tampered devices and preventing misuse of telecom identifiers.

The directive draws authority from multiple provisions of the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, which were notified in November 2024 and amended in October 2025. Under Rule 8, individuals are prohibited from altering or trafficking equipment with manipulated telecommunication identifiers, while manufacturers are required to comply with government directions concerning IMEI-bearing devices. Rule 5 empowers the Centre to create digital mechanisms — such as Sanchar Saathi — to detect activities that could compromise telecom cyber security.

Highlighting the growing menace of duplicated or spoofed IMEIs, the DoT stated that such devices “pose serious endangerment to telecom cyber security,” necessitating tighter preventive measures.

The directive also instructs manufacturers and importers to make “all possible endeavours” to provide the app through software updates for devices already manufactured and currently available in sales channels across the country. Compliance reports must be submitted to the DoT within 120 days.

The communication warns that non-compliance may attract penal action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, and other applicable laws.

About the App

While Sanchar Saathi is currently available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play, users presently have the option to download it. Compliance with the new directive will result in all new devices including the app by default, while older devices will receive it through updates.

Launched in January, the app recorded more than 50 lakh downloads by August. A government release in September stated that the platform had enabled the blocking of over 37.28 lakh stolen or lost phones, while more than 22.76 lakh devices were successfully traced.

Sanchar Saathi helps users track and block missing phones across India using the device’s IMEI number — a unique 15-digit identifier used by mobile networks to authenticate devices. The app also assists law enforcement agencies in locating stolen phones and curbing the circulation of counterfeit devices. Additionally, users can report suspicious communications received via calls, SMS, or messaging platforms. DeshGujarat